2024 National Educational Technology Plan

Elaine Wolfe and Dr. Cynthia Solomon

I attended the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan Launch at the White House on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. I was the guest of Dr. Cynthia Solomon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Solomon During the program she was recognized as a pioneer in the field of educational technology. Cynthia is an icon and continues to share her knowledge. I learned TurtleStitch from her https://papercraftetc.blogspot.com/2021/10/making-computer-coded-embroidery.html and now help her manage a new group of TurtleStitch users through YouTube. The YouTube videos can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@Tea.and.TurtleStitch/streams

The 2024 National Educational Technology Plan https://tech.ed.gov/NETP/ emphasized the significance of technology in education. The power of technology was highlighted by the needs which arose during COVID-19. The focus of the plan is on enhancing learning through high-quality technology, ensuring broadband availability for everyone, and promoting inclusivity with equity in mind.

This plan, the first in 8 years, aims to be a flagship for K-12 education, representing a commitment to the future. Crafted with input from one thousand people in focus groups, it envisions a shared future where technology is accessible to all. The American Rescue Plan has played a role in closing the digital access divide by providing affordable broadband access to 22 million people.

Government agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Education, have collaborated to ensure safe technology use and to prevent cyberattacks. The plan also emphasizes empowering teachers for an active learning experience, proposing lifelong professional development as a comprehensive roadmap.

Initiated in September 2022, the plan addresses digital use, active learning, problem-solving with a real-world audience, and aims to close the digital divide. It outlines expectations and builds a systematic support system, offering a universal design for a learning framework and promoting the use of technology in a safe environment.